This discussion course is designed to familiarize students with major works of literature from Chaucer to Milton.  We will proceed chronologically by genre, beginning with poetic narratives (Chaucer’s tales, Spenser’s romance, and Milton’s epic), continuing with the drama (a comedy and tragedy by Shakespeare), followed by lyric poems (Sidney, Donne, Jonson, Lanyer, Wroth, Herbert, Marvell), and concluding with prose selections (More’s Utopia and Pepy’s Diary).  While we will be situating these works in their historical and cultural contexts, emphasis will be on close reading. 

 

Requirements:  Four (4-5 page) critical papers will be assigned and occasional class exercises.